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Guy Behind 'Back to the Future' Hoax: It Was an Accident [EXCLUSIVE]

The man behind the Back to the Future hoax that circulated the web on Wednesday said the viral incident was "just an accident."

If you're like us, you fell for that Photoshopped image that claimed today was the "future date" Doc set the DeLorean to in the film Back to the Future. Although the photo says characters such as Doc and Marty McFly traveled from June 27, 2012 from Oct. 26, 1985, the actual date used in the film is Oct. 21, 2015. Not only was the picture shared thousands of times and became a viral hit in just a few hours, it wasn't the first time the same hoax happened.

So how did we fall for this again? Here's what happened.

Steve Berry, a social media manager for mobile checkout company Simply Tap, designed the image to promote the Back to the Future trilogy Blu-ray box set for his client. The photo — which used Wednesday's date as "the future" — was a deliberate reference to the same hoax that was accidentally started by Total Film in 2010.

"We promoted the image fully confident in the knowledge that everyone was familiar with the original hoax from a couple of years ago," Berry told Mashable. "We figured that no one would fall for the same joke twice, so the caption was deliberately replicated it word for word so people would get the reference."

But the new image started to develop a life of its own. It was reposted on several Facebook pages, including the Facebook page of craft company Colour Me Fun, which received more than 10,000 shares, nearly 1,000 Likes and 300 comments.

Although the hoax may have ruffled a few feathers on the Internet today, the creator of the accidental hoax said he wishes he would have included the client's web address:

"Just think of the traffic I've failed to gather," Berry said.

BONUS: Electric DeLorean Races Toward 2013 Release [PICS]

Electric DeLorean Races Toward 2013 Release

The Electric DeLorean

The electric version of the DeLorean sports car featured in the Back to the Future films has arrived at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, touting an iPhone dock, Bluetooth capabilities and a battery-powered engine.

Rear View

The electric DeLorean will hit the U.S. market in 2013. The latest DeLorean still comes with recognizable gull-wing doors, a stainless steel body and a rear-mounted engine

Side View

Although DeLoreans typically run for $65,000, the electric model will cost $95,000.

Steering Wheel

The electric DeLorean is expected to get about the same mileage as a Nissan Leaf, running about 100 miles on a full charge.

iPhone Dock

In addition to an iPhone dock, the company plans to add iOS controls to the vehicle with the inclusion of apps.

Rear Engine

The vehicle features a 32-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery system.

"Where we're going we don't need gas!"

The DeLorean may be best known for its role as the unlikely time machine in the Back to the Future films, but it has attracted the attention of car collectors and fans years following the movie’s 1985 debut.

Engine Close-Up

An up-close look at the electric DeLorean's battery system.

Wheel Close-Up

The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Attention Getter

Electric DeLoreans will be made starting in January 2013.

Gull-Wing Doors

The first deliveries of the car itself will take place in February or early March of next year.

Original DeLorean

An original version of the gas-powered DeLorean was also on display at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. Both of the winged doors were open for all to see.

Mashable
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